COLOMBIAN PROTECTION STATUS ODDS CALLED POOR

Speaking at a Central Falls forum on the issue, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says
the Republican administration is not leaning toward granting Colombian
immigrants temporary protective status.

CENTRAL FALLS - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said yesterday he does not expect
the Bush administration to grant Colombians, who have fled here to
escape fighting in their country, temporary protective status, which
would allow them to remain in the United States legally after their
visas expire.

Reed made his comments yesterday afternoon during a forum with Luis
Alberto Moreno, Colombian ambassador to the United States, at Central
Falls High School.

The senator, who has visited Colombia twice and pushed for approval of
temporary protective status for Colombian immigrants here, said the new
Republican administration doesn't seem willing to grant his request.

"From my perspective, we're going to try," Reed said. "But they're not
particularly sympathetic."

The United States must now focus on helping the Colombian government, at
war with left-and right-wing paramilitary groups, stabilize the country,
he said. But, Reed said, that doesn't mean sending U.S. troops to fight
in Colombia.

Rather, the United States should follow through on Plan Colombia, a
controversial $ 1.3-billion aid package being provided to the country.
The aid is intended to help slow cocaine production a major source of
income for the rebels build infrastructure and establish a stable
economy.

That will assist in reducing the level of violence in Colombia "so that
(Colombians) don't feel they are denied the opportunity to go back,"
Reed said.

Moreno agreed with Reed. A slowing economy in the United States has
complicated the process of getting temporary protective status, he said.

"Issues in immigration are going to be very difficult," the ambassador
said.

Since fighting intensified in Colombia, thousands have fled to the
United States. Many have moved to Rhode Island, and particularly Central
Falls.

Temporary protective status would allow those immigrants to live and
work here after their visas expire without worrying about violating
immigration laws.

Moreno and Reed spent most of the well-attended forum yesterday
discussing Plan Colombia. Both talked about the aid in positive terms,
saying it will help set Colombia on a democratic course.

The aid package has been criticized by some, however, who say the
chemicals being used to destroy cocaine plants are also hurting
legitimate farms, as well as the environment as a whole. Others have
accused the Colombian government of human-rights violations.

Another concern is that United States involvement will gradually
increase, eventually resulting in American troops fighting in Colombia.

Moreno addressed those issues when asked about them yesterday. He said
there has been no evidence that the chemicals are harming the
environment and that accusations of human rights violations are being
investigated.

Plan Colombia has to be given time to work, he said.

"We cannot look at it from a single angle," said Moreno. "We must look
at the overall picture."

Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy arrived near the conclusion of the forum, but
stayed until well after it was over to answer questions. He, too,
addressed temporary protective status, saying he hopes it could be
granted.

"As a politician, I think it's a very clear and easy case," he said. "I
cannot tell you why it has not been successful."